A Fiery Pillar of Heavenly Truth, Chapter 4
CHAP. IIII.
Question.
VVHat is the third step by which God doth proceed in the work of mans salvation?
Ans. Vocation.
Quest. What is vocation?
Answ. It is a holy and gracious worke of God, by his Word and Spirit calling men sinfull and subject to damnation out of their naturall, and corrupt estate, to beleeve in Christ, and to lead a new life. Acts. 26.18.
Quest. What are the parts of vocation?
Ans. They are two. 1. The offering. 2. The receiving of Christ. Ioh 1.11.12.
Quest. What is the offering of Christ to us in our vocation?
Ans. The proposing of Christ as the only necessary and sufficient means of salvation. 1 Cor. 1.23.24. Heb. 7.25. Acts 4.12.
Quest. What is the receiving of Christ?
Ans. The joyning of Christ unto man, and of man unto Christ. Ioh. 6.56. Ephes. 5.23.
Quest. How doth God call men to this new estate?
Ans. By the Ministery of the word as the outward, by the working of the Spirit as the inward means. Acts 10.44. Acts 16.14. Acts 9.15. Ephes. 1, 17. 1 Cor. 3.6.
Quest. From what doth God call them?
Ans. From the bondage of Satan, and service of all sin. col. 1.12, 13. Tit. 3.3, 4. Mat. 9.13.
Quest. Whereunto doth he call them?
Ans. Unto true holinesse. 1 Thes. 4.7.
Quest. Why doth he thus call them?
Answ. I. That they may have union, and communion with Christ Jesus. 1 Cor. 1.9.
II. That they may love, feare, and honour God in Christ. Iere. 32.39, 40.
III. That they may make sure their election unto themselves. 2 Pet. 1.10.
IIII. That they may be fit to inherit eternall glory. 2 Pet. 1.3. Rev. 21.27.
Quest. Who are they that be thus called?
Ans. By the outward Ministery of the Word good and bad are called. Mat. 20.16. Mat. 13.47, 48. but by the inward working of the Spirit the chosen onelyonly are called. Rom. 8.30. Acts 13.48.
Quest. What are the properties of vocation?
Ans. They are five:
I. It is free. Ioh. 3.8. Rom. 8.28 Isai. 44.6, 7.
II. It is holy. 2 Tim. 1.9.
III. It is irresistible. Ioh. 6.37. Joh. 10.16. Isa. 55.10.11, 12, 13. Ezek. 36.25, 26.
IIII. It is peculiar to the chosen, Acts. 13.48.
V. It is unchangeable. Rom. 11.29. Ierem. 32.40.
Quest. How may a man know that he is effectually called?
Answ. By nine signes accompanying it.
Quest. What be they?
Ans. I. True illumination, whereby a man is able to see his owne wretchednesse by sin; and also to behold the riches of Gods mercy in Christ towards his owne soul, 1 Pet. 2.9.
II. A thorough detestation of that sin which hath formerly been most pleasing to him. Hos. 14.8. Isa. 30.21, 22. Luk. 19.8, 9.
III. A loathing of evill, and delighting in holy company. 2. Cor. 6.17, 18. Psal. 119.115. Psal. 26.4, 5. Psal. 16.3.
IIII. A competent measure of grace befitting that calling, with a holy care to walke as beseemeth the same. Ephes. 4.1. 1 Thess. 2.12.
V. A singular readinesse to performe all the Lords Commandements. Gal. 1.15, 16. Cant. 1.4. Psal. 119.32.
VI. A carefull endeavour to have peace with all men, so much as may be; but especially with Gods people. Rom. 12.18. Col. 3.15. 1 Cor. 7.15. 1 Pet. 3.8, 9.
VII. A hearty cleaving unto God, and making a good profession of Gods Truth, in all estates. 1 Tim, 6.11. Luk. 9.23.26.
VIII. A high estimation of this calling, and of the means by which a man is called. Phil. 3.14. Ps. 119.72.
IX. A comfortable experience of Gods disposing and ordering all things to work for the best unto him. Rom. 8.28. Gen. 41.52. Gen. 50.20.
Quest. What fruits doth this doctrine of mans Misery, Redemption, and Vocation bring forth in them whom God hath ordained to life eternall?
Ans. It doth worke 10. severall graces in them.
Quest. What is the first?
Ans. A cleere sight of our wofull and lothsome estate by nature. Prov. 30.1.2. Iere. 31.18. Rom. 7.9
Quest. What is the second?
Answ. A true sense of our misery by sin. Psal. 38.4. Rom. 7.24.
Quest. What is the third?
Ans. Contrition, and brokennesse of heart. 2 Cor. 7.10. Psal. 51.17. Luke 7.38.
Quest. What is the fourth?
Ans. A thorough detestation of sin. Psal. 119.128. Hos. 14.8.
Quest. What is the fift?
Ans. An earnest desire of the pardon of sinne, Ps. 51.9.
Quest. What is the sixth?
Ans. A holy consultation what to doe to get forth of this sinfull estate. Acts 16 29, 30.
Quest. What is the seventh?
Answ. A humble and free confession of all sinne. Psal. 32 5. Psal. 139.23. Luke 15.18, 19. Psal. 51 3.
Quest What is the eight?
Ans. An unfained forsaking of all sinne, to enjoy the graces of the Spirit, and favour of God. Matt. 13.44. Isai. 30.22. Psal. 66.18.
Quest. What is the ninth?
Ans. A sound application of Christ and his promises to our owne soules, trusting in Christ, and casting our selves wholly upon him for pardon and salvation. Ioh. 20.28. Phil. 3.12, 13.
Quest. What is the tenth?
Answ. An high valuing of Christ, strong and fervent love to Christ, and an holy relishing of more sweetnesse in the Gospel, than in any thing in the world, consecrating our selves to Christ in holinesse and true righteousnesse to serve him. Luk 7.47. Psa. 4.6, 7. Ierem. 15, 16. Psal. 119.103. Rom. 10.15. Rom. 12.1, 2.